EMV

EMV: What Your Business Needs to Know

EMV (which is an acronym for Europay, MasterCard® and Visa®) is a more secure way of accepting payments. A “smart card” and an EMV-enabled point of sale solution are required to leverage the technology and security capabilities inherent in EMV. Smart cards contain a “chip” capable of more sophisticated security than traditional magnetic stripe cards, keeping cardholders safer and combatting counterfeiting and fraud by assigning dynamic values for each transaction. Since fraudsters cannot skim or copy chip card data, EMV technology helps reduce fraud risks for your business and your customers.

THE UNITED STATES HAS FINALLY TRANSITIONED TO EMV

Most financial institutions have already issued EMV cards that also contain a magnetic stripe. A customer can still swipe an EMV card using the magnetic stripe, but that does not take advantage of added security technology embedded on the card’s chip and is not considered to be an EMV transaction. The process for an EMV transaction is different than a magnetic swipe transaction. With EMV transactions, the cardholder inserts the card into an EMV terminal, where it stays during the transaction. In some cases the customer will be prompted for a PIN (this is very much like a debit transaction). For this reason, EMV cards are commonly referred to as “Chip and PIN” cards. Alternatively, some cards may still require a signature instead of a PIN. EMV cards can also be referred to “Chip and Signature” in this instance. During an EMV transaction, the card never leaves the cardholder’s hand. You present the payment terminal to your customer – even in restaurant environments.

ACTION REQUIRED!

You need to be aware of the liability shift that occurred on October 1, 2015. This means, if your business accepts and processes a counterfeit transaction on a non-EMV enabled terminal, the liability for that transaction is yours, and no longer the card issuers. There is no fine associated with non-acceptance of EMV cards,

HOW DOES EMV HELP YOUR BUSINESS?

EMV benefits everyone associated with your business. Consumers have fewer reasons to worry about the security of their payment information and will have a payment card that works anywhere in the world. Your business benefits from the reduction in card fraud resulting from counterfeit, lost and stolen cards.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO NEXT?

PPS has a range of EMV solutions that are available to meet your needs now. Speak with a PPS sales representative today to learn more about our EMV solutions.

Businesses with Automated Fuel Dispensers (also called “Pay at the Pump”) acceptance methods have until October 2017 to comply with the new standard.